Cable operated article releaser

ABSTRACT

A coin operated automatic dispenser of cans, one at a time, wherein a wheel rotated or counter rotated by weights of coins or counter wieghts controls the positions of inner and outer gates to release cans one at a time.

United States Patent Moreland CABLE OPERATED ARTICLE RELEASER [72] Inventor: James B. Moreland, 476 Doremus Ave., Glen Rock, NJ. 07452 [22] Filed: Nov. 22, I971 [2|] Appl. No.: 201,057

[52] US. Cl ..l94/94, 221/298 [5 1] Int. Cl. ..G07f 5/08 [58] Field of Search ..l94/22, 37, 94, 48, 295;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,174,782 3/1916 Wachholtz ..22l/289 [451 Sept. 12, 1972 Primary Examiner-Stanley H. Tollberg ArtorneyRichard S. Shreve, Jr.

[ 5 7 ABSTRACT A coin operated automatic dispenser of cans, one at a time, wherein a wheel rotated or counter rotated by weights of coins or counter wieghts controls the positions of inner and outer gates to release cans one at a time.

6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures CABLE OPERATED ARTICLE RELEASER FIELD OF THE INVENTION In my invention, cans to be dispensed are disposed in a chute and are fed by gravity through an open inner gate against a closed outer gate. The spacing between gates is sufficient to accommodate only one can. The cans in the following descriptive material and shown in the attached sketch and recited in the claims specifically include standardized containers of any common size or shape.

SUMMARY The gates are hung by cables from a wheel whereby rotation in one direction closes the inner ate and opens the outer gate and rotation in the reverse direction opens the inner gate and closes the outer gate. Before operation a counterweight biases the wheel in such direction as to open the inner gate and lock the outer gate closed.

When the proper coinage is inserted in appropriate slots, the weight of the coins actuates a first mechanism which overcomes the effect of the counterweight whereby the inner gate closes and the outer gate opens to dispense a can. Another mechanism then causes dumping of the coins into a collection basket, inactivating the first mechanism, whereby the counterweight rotates the wheel to its original position, opening the inner gate and closing the outer gate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an enlarged perspective of the dispensing mechanism portion of the assembly according to the invention; 1

FIG. 2 is a detail of the loading compartment;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross section of the coin chute;

FIG. 4 is a detail of the slug rejection section; and

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of my invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:

The dispenser comprises a can chute having an inner gate and an outer gate 12, and a coin chute l6 having respective coin slots 20, and a slug rejection section 18. This delivers to a slug receptacle 22, while the coins collect in baskets 24 above a common receptacle 36.

The con chute has an extension which forms a lever 26, having a slot in the lower end, which engages a pin 28 on a wheel 30 to produce increment rotation thereof. The outer gate 12 has a locking plunger 32 and the wheel 30 has a line connected to a counterweight 34. The loading entrance to the can chute has a spring loaded closure plate 40.

A section 38 of the main can chute ahead of the inner gate 10 is hinged and counterweighted, and connected by a line to an upper lever over a fulcrum 42 and terminating in shield 48 which closes the coin entrance.

In operation, before the machine is activated by the customer, the mechanism is held in equilibrium by counterweight 34. At this time the inner gate 10 is raised, allowing the line of cans 14 to press on the outer gate 12. The otter gate is locked closed by the spring plunger 32 thrust into a hole in the outer gate.

The purchaser inserts nickels, dimes and quarters into their respective slots 20. The coins roll down their respective channels in the coin chute 16, passing over the slug rejection section 18 which drops out overweight slugs. The coins dropinto their respective collection baskets 24, which are hung at predetermined spacings on the coin channels.

As the coins collect in the baskets 24, their weight forces down the lower end of the lever 26 which is an extension of the coin chute 16. A slot in the lower end of the lever engages a pin 28 on the wheel 30 so that the coins in the baskets produce an incremental rotation of the wheel 30 corresponding to the value of the coins. As the wheel rotates in a counter-clockwise direction, the inner gate 10 lowers retaining all except one can, which is held by the outer gate. The extension of the spring 50 in the cable of the outer gate 12 permits the wheel 30 to rotate without raising the outer gate.

When the full purchase price has been deposited, the wheel 30 has rotated withdrawing the plunger 32, and the tensioning of the spring so raises the outer gate 12 releasing one can. Simultaneously the coin chute 16 has rotated about its upper hinged end sufficiently that basket 24 strike a trip which empties the coins into a collection basket 36.

Upon the release of the coins from the baskets the counterweight 34 rotates the wheel 30 clockwise to its original position, thereby raising the inner gate 10 and lowering the outer gate 12 which locks will plunger 32.

The loading compartment closure plate 40 being spring hinged to swing only to admit a can, thus preventing theft or vandalism. Fire protection is provided by a foam fire extinguisher 46, actuated by a fusible plug, mounted in a dome 44 on the top of the dispenser. The section 38 raises slightly when no can is thereon. This motion lowers the shield 48 closing the coin slot 20 which indicates that the machine is not operative.

While I have described my invention with particular reference to the drawings, such is not to be considered as limiting its actual scope.

Having thus described this invention, what I assert as new is:

1. An automatic coin operated dispenser for cans comprising:

a chute in which said cans move by gravity;

an inner gate disposed in the'chute and which can be raised and lowered to pass orblock passage of cans;

an outer gate disposed in the chute and which can be raised and lowered to pass or block passage of cans, said gates being spaced apart by one can width;

wheel and cable apparatus connected to the gates whereby rotation of the wheel through a selected are in one direction from rest position opens the outer gate and closes the inner gate and wheel rotation in reverse direction back to rest position opens the inner gate and closes the outer gate;

means biasing said wheel into rest position; and

means responsive to the entry of proper coinage to overcome the first means and to rotate said wheel to open the outer gate and close the inner gate.

2. A dispenser as set forth in claim 1 further including means actuated coincidently with the release of one S. A dispenser as set forth in claim 4 wherein the coins are dumped into a common basket after the one can has been discharged.

6. A dispenser as set forth in claim 5 which rejects overweight slugs and which can be adapted to any coinage. 

1. An automatic coin operated dispenser for cans comprising: a chute in which said cans move by gravity; an inner gate disposed in the chute and which can be raised and lowered to pass or block passage of cans; an outer gate disposed in the chute and which can be raised and lowered to pass or block passage of cans, said gates being spaced apart by one can width; wheel and cable apparatus connected to the gates whereby rotation of the wheel through a selected arc in one direction from rest position opens the outer gate and closes the inner gate and wheel rotation in reverse direction back to rest position opens the inner gate and closes the outer gate; means biasing said wheel into rest position; and means responsive to the entry of proper coinage to overcome the first means and to rotate said wheel to open the outer gate and close the inner gate.
 2. A dispenser as set forth in claim 1 further including means actuated coincidently with the release of one can through the open outer gate to deactuate the coin responsive means whereby the biasing means biases the wheel to rest position.
 3. A dispenser as set forth in claim 2 wherein aid biasing means includes at least one counterweight.
 4. A dispenser as set forth in claim 3 wherein said coin responsive means responds to the weight of proper coinage.
 5. A dispenser as set forth in claim 4 wherein the coins are dumped into a common basket after the one can has been discharged.
 6. A dispenser as set forth in claim 5 which rejects overweight slugs and which can be adapted to any coinage. 